And other tricks there were to entice us into the
Night Land; and once a call came thrilling in the
aether, and told to us that certain humans had escaped
from the Lesser Redoubt, and drew nigh to us; but were
faint for food, and craved succour. Yet, when
we sent the Master-Word into the night, the creatures
without could make no reply; which was a very happy
thing for our souls; for we had been all mightily exercised
in our hearts by this one message; and now had proof
that it was but a trap.

And constantly, and at all hours, I would have speech
with Naani of the Lesser Redoubt; for I had taught
her how she might send her thoughts through the night,
with her brain-elements; but not to over-use this
power; for it exhausts the body and the powers of the
mind, if it be abused by exceeding usage.

Yet, despite that I had taught her the use of her
brain-elements, she sent her message always without
strength, save when she had use of the instrument;
and this I set to the cause that she had not the health
force needful; but, apart from this, she had the Night-Hearing
very keen; though less than mine.

And so, with many times of speech, and constant tellings
of our doings and thoughts, we drew near in the spirit
to one another; and had always a feeling in our hearts
that we had been given previous acquaintance.

And this, as may be thought, thrilled my heart very
strangely.

IV

THE HUSHING OF THE VOICE

("Dearest, thine own feet
tread the world at night—­
Treading,
as moon-flakes step across a dark—­
Kissing the very
dew to holier light ...
Thy
Voice a song past mountains, which to hark
Frightens my soul
with an utter lost delight.”)

Now, one night, towards the end of the sixteenth hour,
as I made ready to sleep, there came all about me
the thrilling of the aether, as happened oft in those
days; but the thrilling had a strange power in it;
and in my soul the voice of Naani sounded plain, all
within and about me.

Yet, though I knew it to be the voice of Naani, I
answered not immediately; save to send the sure question
of the Master-Word into the night. And, directly,
I heard the answer, the Master-Word beating steadily
in the night; and I questioned Naani why she had speech
with me by the Instrument at that time, when all were
sleeping, and the watch set among the Monstruwacans;
for they in the little Pyramid had their sleep-time
to commence at the eleventh hour; so that by this it
was five hours advanced towards the time of waking;
and Naani should have slept; nor have been abroad
to the Tower of Observation, apart from her father.
For I supposed that she spoke by the Instrument, her
voice sounding very clear in my brain. Yet, to
this question, she made no answer in kind; but gave
a certain thing into my spirit, which set me trembling;
for she said certain words, that began: